A Russian national will have to represent himself through an interpreter at his murder trial next month after continuing to refuse to cooperate with his lawyers.

Jurijs Popovs has been given several opportunities to change his mind about declining to meet his solicitor and barrister after a judge refused his application last month to change legal representation.

Popovs, 47, had told Judge Philip Statman: “This is the third time I have tried to leave this firm (of solicitors). I am not happy with their service. My wishes have not been answered.”

Popovs, who is alleged to have stabbed to death Dmitrijs Titovs, 21, outside a block of flats in Henley Place, London Road, Teynham, near Sittingbourne, in the early hours of New Years Day, is due to stand trial on July 1.

The matter was listed again for non-cooperation at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday but he maintained the same stance.

“I urge Mr Popovs to start the process because there is no suggestion his legal team is in some way professionally embarrassed,” said the judge.

Mark Dacey, for Popovs, said: “He has said he does not want to see us. We have asked him to consider again and understand we are not trying to trap him into representation.”

Judge Statman replied: “The option is he has the great advantage of an eminent QC, one of the most qualified lawyers in the country, together with an eminent and experienced senior and junior counsel and a firm of solicitors who are excellent in terms of preparation, or he will be in the situation where he represents himself at trial and I genuinely do not want that to happen.

“I urge you to take advantage of what I have just said.”

But despite being given time to reconsider Popovs refused to see Mr Dacey and a solicitor.

Judge Statman then withdrew legal aid.